Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. Initially founded as a one-man project by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the band has included Grohl (vocals and guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), Pat Smear (guitar), Chris Shiflett (guitar), Rami Jaffee (keyboards), and Ilan Rubin (drums). Former members have included Franz Stahl (guitar), William Goldsmith (drums), Taylor Hawkins (drums), and Josh Freese (drums). Grohl created the project to release solo material following the disbandment of Nirvana in 1994. He recorded the band's self-titled debut album, "Foo Fighters" (1995), largely on his own over six days. After attracting record label interest, he recruited Mendel and Goldsmith, both formerly of Sunny Day Real Estate, and Smear, who had previously toured with Nirvana. The band performed its first public concert in February 1995, several months before the album's release. During the recording of their second album, "The Colour and the Shape" (1997), Goldsmith left the band and Grohl re-recorded most of the drum parts. Smear departed soon afterward and was replaced by Stahl, who had previously played with Grohl in the band Scream. Stahl was dismissed before the recording of the third album, "There Is Nothing Left to Lose" (1999), after which the band temporarily continued as a trio until Shiflett joined following the album’s completion. The band released "One by One" in 2002, followed by the double album "In Your Honor" (2005), which combined acoustic and heavier material. Their sixth studio album, "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" (2007), followed. For the seventh album, "Wasting Light" (2011), produced by Butch Vig, Smear returned as a full-time member after frequently performing with the band since 2005. "Sonic Highways" (2014) was released as a soundtrack to a television miniseries directed by Grohl. "Concrete and Gold" (2017) became the band’s second album to reach number one in the United States and the first to feature longtime touring keyboardist Jaffee as an official member. The band released their tenth studio album, "Medicine at Midnight," in 2021. It was the final album recorded before the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022. Their eleventh album, "But Here We Are," was released in June 2023. Freese served as drummer from 2023 to 2025, after which Rubin assumed the role. Foo Fighters have won 15 Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album five times. In 2021, they received the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Studio albums Foo Fighters (1995) The Colour and the Shape (1997) There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) One by One (2002) In Your Honor (2005) Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007) Wasting Light (2011) Sonic Highways (2014) Concrete and Gold (2017) Medicine at Midnight (2021) But Here We Are (2023) Your Favorite Toy (2026) . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.